The 26-year-old progressed to the point that by mid-August he was cleared to practice again. Jenkins had plenty of family and friends in attendance at Lambeau Field on Sunday when he made his highly anticipated return.
"After the game, I soaked it in," Jenkins said. "I always wanted to be out there and competing. Just being the long journey that I've been on, it was good for me."
Before the injury, the 2019 second-round draft pick was off to one of the most impressive starts for an offensive lineman in team history. In 2020, Jenkins became just the third Packers O-lineman to be named to the Pro Bowl within his first two seasons in the NFL, joining Derel Teteak (1952) and Charley Brock (1940).
That same year, Jenkins also earned the distinction of being the first Green Bay offensive lineman to start games at guard, center and tackle in the same season since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger.
To date, Jenkins has started at four different positions on the offensive line in 39 NFL starts – 26 at left guard, eight at left tackle, three at center and now two at right tackle.
Jenkins played all 68 offensive snaps against the Bears. There were some technique issues he wanted to clean up this week in practice, but there also were positives. In addition to a couple pancakes, Jenkins helped pave the way to a 200-yard day for Aaron Jones, AJ Dillon and the Packers' rushing offense.
"He brings the intensity up of everybody around him. You could see that extra juice that we had," said offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich, who was Jenkins' position coach for the past three years. "He was a little rusty. I think every week he's going to get a little bit better. He's had a good week of practice so far, but it was great to have him back."
The Packers hope Jenkins' return is a harbinger of good things to come for the offensive line. Left tackle David Bakhtiari practiced Thursday, while left guard Jon Runyan didn't miss any time after clearing the concussion protocol last week.
For now, it appears right tackle will be Jenkins' home but he's always ready and willing to play wherever the Packers need him. While appreciative of his quarterback's vocal support, Jenkins still has no plans to grade his play on a curve.
This Sunday in Tampa Bay, Jenkins expects to be his same Pro Bowl self against the Buccaneers.
"Just being able to get (the Bears game) under my belt was good for me," Jenkins said. "The game coming up, I feel like I should play at a high standard. Every game, my objective is to play at a high standard."
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September 23, 2022 at 08:37PM
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Elgton Jenkins' return brings 'extra juice' to Packers' offense - Packers.com
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